Supremes Entertain 11,000 With Performance At SPAC

by Marilyn Nason, The Post-Star, August 6, 1968

For the 11,000—of every—age noisily crowding Saratoga Performing Arts Center last night, Diana Ross and the Supremes offered a highly professional, entertaining show. But for the handful backstage, there was even a bigger show, unfortunately not so entertaining.

On stage, Miss Ross smiles, jokes, works as hard as any performer at her craft and isa darned good entertainer. Backstage, she proved to be the most temperamental performer ever presented at SPAC, managing to alienate all the press, radio and TV people and the staff of SPAC, and hurling such profanity at the SPAC general manager that the “earth may be shaking for a couple of days after this,” one reporter observed listening to the tirade. She carried on befitting La Duse herself.

The very attractive three ladies wore some startling, skin-tight glittery gowns, singing one song to open the show, then disappearing for the rest of the first half to return as the stars of the second half.

All their famous hits of a few seasons back, ranging from “The Happening” to “In and Out of Love,” as well as songs
made famous by the late Sam Cooke, the Beatles’ “Michelle” and “Big Spender,” were presented. Miss Ross is a dynamic singer, works extremely hard and handled the constantly chattering crowd expertly.

Appearing in the first half was Stevie Wonder, a blind young man deserving of his last name. He does just about everything and with such abandon, he’s exhausting just to watch. He sings, plays the organ, harmonica and drums, dances and has a fine sense of humor. His harmonica version of “Alfie” was very lovely.

Opening the show was Shorty Long of “Here Comes the Judge” fame.

Tonight Ravi Shankar and his Festival From India will appear. Let’s hope the fine Saratoga Police officers trying to control last night’s crowds before, during and after the performance were able to disperse them eventually to make way for what is certain to be another large crowd tonight. They had their hands full much of the night but did an excellent job keeping the degree of order and quiet they did.